New Consumer Goods And Services Industry Code Of Conduct Released

A new Code of Conduct (Code) for the Consumer Goods and Services (CGS) industry has been released and takes effect on 30 April. This final Code is substantially similar to the draft Code published by the Department of Trade and Industry in October 2014 for public comment.    

The Code, published under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), has been established to guide the CGS industry on the minimum standards of conduct expected when engaging with consumers and to assist in resolving disputes that arise between consumers and the CGS industry under the CPA. 

The Code applies to all parties involved in the supply chain who directly or indirectly provide, market and/or offer to supply goods and services to consumers, unless they are specifically excluded. The Code therefore applies to, among others, producers, importers, distributors and retailers of goods, and to service providers.  Importantly, this means that adherence to the Code is mandatory, unless the